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Chris Wesseling

The Morning After

Sweet Smell of Vick-tory

According to ColdHardFootballFacts.com, the Eagles entered Week 15 with an NFL-best 58 big plays in 13 games, an average of 4.5 game-changing explosions per week. After the Giants smothered Michael Vick & Co. for 52 and a half minutes, Philly's offense erupted for four plays of 30+ yards in the fourth quarter alone. In the final eight minutes, Vick was 6-of-11 for 121 yards and two touchdowns through the air while adding 94 yards and another score on four scrambles.

Vick was at his unparalleled best, demoralizing his opponent. On six first-half plays where the Giants brought seven or more pass-rushers, Vick managed just a five-yard completion to Jeremy Maclin. When the Giants sent the house in the fourth quarter, Vick scrambled away for huge gains of 22, 33, and 35 yards. "That's as frustrating as it gets to ... a defensive team, to be in position and to be doing what your responsibilities are, and the quarterback just slithers his way out of there or he ducks down, or however he did it," a dejected coach Tom Coughlin said after the game.

Vick's unstoppable performance left teammate Asante Samuel exclaiming, "You can't even write a movie like that." It was just the ninth time in NFL history that a team has come back from a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to win. The 28 fourth-quarter points also set a franchise record.

The 130 yards rushing were more than all but four running backs Sunday -- and a reminder that no franchise does running quarterbacks like the Philadelphia Eagles. Randall Cunningham (1988, 1990) and Donovan McNabb (2000) are the only two quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for 3,000 yards and 20 TDs while also scrambling for 600 yards and five rushing TDs in a single season. With 245 more passing yards, Vick will join that dynamic duo.

The Eagles are now 8-1 in games Vick has started and finished, averaging 30.0 points per outing. His lowest passer rating in a game this season is 83.0, which is higher than any seasonal rating he posted in six seasons with the Falcons. In 71 starts in Atlanta, Vick threw three touchdown passes of 45+ yards. In 10 starts in Philadelphia, Vick has already tossed eight touchdowns of 45+ yards. It's a testament to the Eagles' explosive weaponry and Vick's vast improvement as a pocket passer.

Sunday's game was the perfect example of why Vick can never be sat in fantasy leagues regardless of matchup. You simply cannot let the potential of one player carrying your team to victory go unused on a weekly basis. Despite missing three starts and going half-way in two other games, Vick is in a virtual three-way tie with Drew Brees and Philip Rivers for first place in quarterback fantasy points. His 29.7 points per week are nearly six points more than second-place Aaron Rodgers' second-place mark of 24 per game. I'm taking Vick into the fantasy finals in three of my four redraft leagues, and I bet that's the case with the majority of Vick owners. The playing field won't be level in championship week.

Editor's Note: You can get our Season Pass package at a discount rate for the fantasy playoffs. Tons of extra stat tools, projections, columns, and playoff rankings, and Chris Wesseling's Dynasty league coverage -- all for just $4.99.

Game Balls

Ray Rice - Future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis challenged his offense Saturday night in a team meeting to set a physical tone. "Ray said if we're going to run the ball, then run it ï¿½ and let's not stop running it until they stop us," Rice said. "I got his message." After some veterans privately questioned Cam Cameron's play-calling, the offensive coordinator finally got the ball in his best player's hands for a career-high 36 touches.

Held under 100 rushing yards in all but one game this season, Rice broke out for 153 rushing yards and a touchdown on 31 carries while adding five receptions for 80 yards and another score. Without a run longer than 30 yards on the season, Rice finally broke free for a 50-yarder while adding a 32-yard screen pass that featured seven broken tackles. As ESPN's John Clayton points out, the key to Rice's big day was running up the middle. He had averaged just 3.9 yards per carry up the gut coming into the game. That number jumped to 6.9 when the Saints had seven or fewer defenders in the box Sunday. "We had probably broken more tackles than we've ever had," coach John Harbaugh said. "I thought that Rice and Willis McGahee ran really hard and I thought our offensive line finished blocks. We moved people and finished blocks." Expect Rice to remain the offensive focal point at Cleveland in Week 16.

Jamaal Charles - Tied for 15th in the NFL in rushing attempts (203), Charles has vaulted to third in rushing yards -- only 40 behind leader Arian Foster. Buoyed by a career-long 80-yard run in the fourth quarter, Charles averaged 10.9 yards per on 14 touches at St. Louis. In his last 17 games, JC Superstar has 1,961 rushing yards for an preposterous average of 6.6 per carry. He's up to eighth among running backs in fantasy points.

Larry Fitzgerald - Cardinals quarterbacks have combined for a 50.5 completion rate, 5.9 yards per attempt, an 8:17 TD-to-INT ratio, and a passer rating below 60. The putrid passing hasn't stopped Fitz from catching fire, however, with double-digit targets in an incredible nine straight games. Here's a stat you won't believe: Despite the knee sprain to open the sesson, Fitzgerald is averaging more yards per game (70.4) this year than he did last year with Kurt Warner (68.3). Barring the unexpected, he's going to hit 90 receptions and 1,100 yards for the fourth straight season and fifth in the past six. Fitzgerald (27 years, 110 days old) is the youngest player in NFL history to reach 600 receptions and the second-youngest (8,053) to record 8,000 receiving yards behind Randy Moss (26 years, 297 days).

Calvin Johnson - Nine of Megatron's 10 catches went for first downs, and he was clutch on the Lions' critical final two possessions. "They have a ridiculously tough dude to deal with and we didn't deal with him very well,'' admitted cornerback Ronde Barber. With a 73/1,068/12 line, Calvin is second only to Brandon Lloyd in wide receiver fantasy points.

Mike Wallace - Wallace was expected to spend the afternoon stranded on Revis Island, but the shutdown corner shadowed Hines Ward instead. Wallace has proven to be matchup proof, regardless, beating all corners this year. Fantasy's No. 10 receiver is enjoying a true breakout season with 1,048 yards and eight scores. He (91) and DeSean Jackson (84) are the only fantasy receivers in the top-20 with fewer than 100 targets.

Brandon Marshall - If checkdown artist Chad Henne had found an open Marshall on fly routes down the field, this could have been a 200-yard performance. Instead, Henne dumped off to Marshall, who bodied up CB Drayton Florence on a string of horizontal receptions. The majority of Marshall owners are sitting at home for the fantasy playoffs. Those still in contention have the luxury of a tasty matchup against the Lions in Week 16.

Jonathan Stewart - After averaging 118 yards in five games to close out last season, Stewart has averaged 115 over the past month since returning from a concussion. With a per carry average of 5.48 yards over that same span, Stewart is running as well as any back in the NFL. The irresistible force meets an immovable object Thursday night when Stewart travels to Pittsburgh to take on a defense surrendering just 3.0 yards per carry and 24 yards fewer per game than any other team.

The Babineaux Family - Safety Jordan of the Seahawks picked off Matt Ryan only to be upstaged by his brother the next quarter. Jonathan recovered a Matt Hasselbeck fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, the pivotal play in a game that had been tight to that point.

According to ColdHardFootballFacts.com, the Eagles entered Week 15 with an NFL-best 58 big plays in 13 games, an average of 4.5 game-changing explosions per week. After the Giants smothered Michael Vick & Co. for 52 and a half minutes, Philly's offense erupted for four plays of 30+ yards in the fourth quarter alone. In the final eight minutes, Vick was 6-of-11 for 121 yards and two touchdowns through the air while adding 94 yards and another score on four scrambles.

Vick was at his unparalleled best, demoralizing his opponent. On six first-half plays where the Giants brought seven or more pass-rushers, Vick managed just a five-yard completion to Jeremy Maclin. When the Giants sent the house in the fourth quarter, Vick scrambled away for huge gains of 22, 33, and 35 yards. "That's as frustrating as it gets to ... a defensive team, to be in position and to be doing what your responsibilities are, and the quarterback just slithers his way out of there or he ducks down, or however he did it," a dejected coach Tom Coughlin said after the game.

Vick's unstoppable performance left teammate Asante Samuel exclaiming, "You can't even write a movie like that." It was just the ninth time in NFL history that a team has come back from a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to win. The 28 fourth-quarter points also set a franchise record.

The 130 yards rushing were more than all but four running backs Sunday -- and a reminder that no franchise does running quarterbacks like the Philadelphia Eagles. Randall Cunningham (1988, 1990) and Donovan McNabb (2000) are the only two quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for 3,000 yards and 20 TDs while also scrambling for 600 yards and five rushing TDs in a single season. With 245 more passing yards, Vick will join that dynamic duo.

The Eagles are now 8-1 in games Vick has started and finished, averaging 30.0 points per outing. His lowest passer rating in a game this season is 83.0, which is higher than any seasonal rating he posted in six seasons with the Falcons. In 71 starts in Atlanta, Vick threw three touchdown passes of 45+ yards. In 10 starts in Philadelphia, Vick has already tossed eight touchdowns of 45+ yards. It's a testament to the Eagles' explosive weaponry and Vick's vast improvement as a pocket passer.

Sunday's game was the perfect example of why Vick can never be sat in fantasy leagues regardless of matchup. You simply cannot let the potential of one player carrying your team to victory go unused on a weekly basis. Despite missing three starts and going half-way in two other games, Vick is in a virtual three-way tie with Drew Brees and Philip Rivers for first place in quarterback fantasy points. His 29.7 points per week are nearly six points more than second-place Aaron Rodgers' second-place mark of 24 per game. I'm taking Vick into the fantasy finals in three of my four redraft leagues, and I bet that's the case with the majority of Vick owners. The playing field won't be level in championship week.

Editor's Note: You can get our Season Pass package at a discount rate for the fantasy playoffs. Tons of extra stat tools, projections, columns, and playoff rankings, and Chris Wesseling's Dynasty league coverage -- all for just $4.99.

Game Balls

Ray Rice - Future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis challenged his offense Saturday night in a team meeting to set a physical tone. "Ray said if we're going to run the ball, then run it ï¿½ and let's not stop running it until they stop us," Rice said. "I got his message." After some veterans privately questioned Cam Cameron's play-calling, the offensive coordinator finally got the ball in his best player's hands for a career-high 36 touches.

Held under 100 rushing yards in all but one game this season, Rice broke out for 153 rushing yards and a touchdown on 31 carries while adding five receptions for 80 yards and another score. Without a run longer than 30 yards on the season, Rice finally broke free for a 50-yarder while adding a 32-yard screen pass that featured seven broken tackles. As ESPN's John Clayton points out, the key to Rice's big day was running up the middle. He had averaged just 3.9 yards per carry up the gut coming into the game. That number jumped to 6.9 when the Saints had seven or fewer defenders in the box Sunday. "We had probably broken more tackles than we've ever had," coach John Harbaugh said. "I thought that Rice and Willis McGahee ran really hard and I thought our offensive line finished blocks. We moved people and finished blocks." Expect Rice to remain the offensive focal point at Cleveland in Week 16.

Jamaal Charles - Tied for 15th in the NFL in rushing attempts (203), Charles has vaulted to third in rushing yards -- only 40 behind leader Arian Foster. Buoyed by a career-long 80-yard run in the fourth quarter, Charles averaged 10.9 yards per on 14 touches at St. Louis. In his last 17 games, JC Superstar has 1,961 rushing yards for an preposterous average of 6.6 per carry. He's up to eighth among running backs in fantasy points.

Larry Fitzgerald - Cardinals quarterbacks have combined for a 50.5 completion rate, 5.9 yards per attempt, an 8:17 TD-to-INT ratio, and a passer rating below 60. The putrid passing hasn't stopped Fitz from catching fire, however, with double-digit targets in an incredible nine straight games. Here's a stat you won't believe: Despite the knee sprain to open the sesson, Fitzgerald is averaging more yards per game (70.4) this year than he did last year with Kurt Warner (68.3). Barring the unexpected, he's going to hit 90 receptions and 1,100 yards for the fourth straight season and fifth in the past six. Fitzgerald (27 years, 110 days old) is the youngest player in NFL history to reach 600 receptions and the second-youngest (8,053) to record 8,000 receiving yards behind Randy Moss (26 years, 297 days).

Calvin Johnson - Nine of Megatron's 10 catches went for first downs, and he was clutch on the Lions' critical final two possessions. "They have a ridiculously tough dude to deal with and we didn't deal with him very well,'' admitted cornerback Ronde Barber. With a 73/1,068/12 line, Calvin is second only to Brandon Lloyd in wide receiver fantasy points.

Mike Wallace - Wallace was expected to spend the afternoon stranded on Revis Island, but the shutdown corner shadowed Hines Ward instead. Wallace has proven to be matchup proof, regardless, beating all corners this year. Fantasy's No. 10 receiver is enjoying a true breakout season with 1,048 yards and eight scores. He (91) and DeSean Jackson (84) are the only fantasy receivers in the top-20 with fewer than 100 targets.

Brandon Marshall - If checkdown artist Chad Henne had found an open Marshall on fly routes down the field, this could have been a 200-yard performance. Instead, Henne dumped off to Marshall, who bodied up CB Drayton Florence on a string of horizontal receptions. The majority of Marshall owners are sitting at home for the fantasy playoffs. Those still in contention have the luxury of a tasty matchup against the Lions in Week 16.

Jonathan Stewart - After averaging 118 yards in five games to close out last season, Stewart has averaged 115 over the past month since returning from a concussion. With a per carry average of 5.48 yards over that same span, Stewart is running as well as any back in the NFL. The irresistible force meets an immovable object Thursday night when Stewart travels to Pittsburgh to take on a defense surrendering just 3.0 yards per carry and 24 yards fewer per game than any other team.

The Babineaux Family - Safety Jordan of the Seahawks picked off Matt Ryan only to be upstaged by his brother the next quarter. Jonathan recovered a Matt Hasselbeck fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, the pivotal play in a game that had been tight to that point.

Committee Time

1. Chiefs - There's no reliable usage pattern here. Jamaal Charles (11-126, 3-27, 1 TD) had been dominating the workload of late, only to see half the carries of Thomas Jones (22-62, 1-16, 1 TD) in Week 15. To nobody's surprise, Charles still doubled Jones' production. With no established goal-line horse, both backs scored 2-yard touchdowns. Charles is up to eighth in running back fantasy points on the season.

2. Colts - Where did this come from? The Jags defense left plenty of holes for Donald Brown (14-129, 1-4, TD), and he even managed to break a few tackles in the best performance of career. Javarris James (1-0), who had outplayed Brown of late, had just one failed short-yardage conversion. Two weeks after signing, Dominic Rhodes (9-26, 1-4) leapfrogged him for the second spot on the depth chart with Mike Hart and Joseph Addai sidelined.

3. Cowboys - Tashard Choice (15-53, 4-31, TD) had three more carries than Felix Jones (12-70, 2-47) and saw the majority of the red zone work as well. Jones continues to mix big plays with minor nicks and pains, missing a few plays with a lower leg injury. Marion Barber's status is up in the air for Week 16, though I suspect Choice's role will be unaffected. He's playing too well to bench.

4. Giants - Brandon Jacobs (12-34) started and took the first two carries, but Ahmad Bradshaw (19-66, 2-14) remains the clear lead back. The Giants' play-calling turned predictable with an early lead, allowing the Eagles to stack the box against both backs. Bradshaw is just a low-end RB2 option next week against a Packers defense that allows the 29th-most fantasy points to opposing backs.

5. Chargers - Pay no attention to the numbers. Ryan Mathews (17-56) started, but Mike Tolbert (17-46, TD) saw the next eight carries, acting as the clear feature back until the game was in the bag. Tolbert can be played as a RB2 option against the Bengals. Mathews should be left on fantasy benches.

6. Saints - With Chris Ivory out, there was no clear-cut No. 1 back. The Saints were quick to abandon the rushing attack after Pierre Thomas (7-20) received four of the team's first seven carries. Reggie Bush (11-32) appears to be running in quicksand, and Julius Jones (4-11) played only as a change of pace back. Ivory's status will be in question again this week, though Thomas remains untrustworthy regardless.

7. Jets - LaDainian Tomlinson (11-49, 1-6) and Shonn Greene (12-40, 1-5) both ran well against the Steelers' vaunted front seven. They continue to split touches right down the middle, though, killing any semblance of fantasy value.

8. Cardinals - We warned last week not to overreact to Tim Hightower's garbage-time stats inflated against a Broncos defense that hard already rolled over for the game. Hightower (6-16, 3-12) was not only held under 3.0 YPC, he also had fewer carries than an even more ineffective Beanie Wells (8-11). This backfield is fantasy kryptonite.

9. Dolphins - Ronnie Brown (10-39, 1-3, 1 TD) at least managed the one score, but far more was expected against the league's worst run defense. The Dolphins' offensive line is simply not creating running lanes. Though Ricky Williams (7-19, 5-34) was a non-factor on the ground, he capitalized on Chad Henne's checkdown tendencies. Even in another plus matchup against the Lions next week, it's going to be hard to trust either back.

10. Lions - Maurice Morris (15-109, 3-10, 1 TD) took advantage of an injury-depleted Bucs defense that put on a poor tackling display. Between the lingering turf toe and Tampa Bay's grass surface, Jahvid Best (6-12) was thoroughly outplayed by Morris. Both backs should be benched next week against a Miami defense crippling opposing ground games over the past month.

Stat of the Week:DeSean Jackson became the first player in NFL history with a game-winning punt-return touchdown as time expired. He also became just the second player ever (Redskins' Dick Todd 1939-41) with a touchdown receiving, rushing, and on punt returns in each of his first three seasons.

Runner-Up: In his first NFL start Tim Tebow became just the third player in NFL history (Michael Vick, Kordell Stewart) to record a TD pass of at least 30 yards and a TD run of at least 40 yards in the same game. Tebow's 78 rushing yards are the second-most by a Broncos QB behind Norris Weese's 120 against the Bears in 1976.

Second Runner-Up: Steve Breaston's fumble recovery in the end zone was the Cardinals' lone touchdown in a 19-12 loss. Far more interesting, it was Arizona's seventh touchdown off a fumble recovery this season. No other team in the league has more than one.

Runner-Up: Terrell Owens on the state of the Bengals: "I think there's underachieving from the top down. You start with the owner, you start with the coaches. And obviously we as players, we are a product of what the coaches are coaching us throughout the course of the week. Of course, we have to go out there and play the game. But in order for us to do what we're allowed to do at the best of our abilities, the coaches have to put the players in the best position."

Tweet of the Week: From Eagles fan @jasonbostick on the Redskins' quarterback change: "Poor Don (McNabb). It's like watching an ex turn into an alcoholic right after you break up with her or something. Sad."

1. Eagles - Eagles 8-1 in games Vick has started and finished, averaging exactly 30 PPG.2. Colts - Blair White lacks Collie's big-play potential in the slot.3. Patriots - Brady now has NFL record 292 passes without an INT.4. Chargers - Bolts hope long layoff helps Floyd get over hamstring injury.5. Giants - Eli already has a career-high in TD passes.6. Texans - Arian Foster's comments suggest he'll be fine for Week 16.7. Saints - Brees joins Manning as only 2 QBs with 5 straight 4,000-yard seasons.8. Falcons - Gonzalez is first player in NFL history to collect 60-plus catches in 12 consecutive seasons9. Cowboys - Jason Witten became the fastest tight end in history to reach 600 receptions.10. Packers - Rodgers no guarantee to return vs. Giants this week.11. Ravens - Finally putting the ball in their best player's hands.12. Steelers - Emmanuel Sanders emerging as another weapon for Big Ben.13. Chiefs - Thomas Jones is the first player in history to rush for 10,000 yards playing for at least five different teams.14. Jaguars - Garrard has broken Mark Brunell's franchise record with 22 passing TDs.15. Redskins - We all owe Kyle Shanahan an apology. Grossman posted his 2nd career 300-yard game and four-TD game.

Falling Out: Broncos

Fantasy Boosts Reality

An estimated 29 million Americans now play in fantasy football leagues, boosting the NFL's television ratings in the league's most watched season of all-time. As this article explains, the rooting interest in players scattered around the league means that fans no longer tune in just to see their hometown team. As this article points out, 18 of the 20 highest-rated telecasts this television season have been NFL games on network TV. The number of women playing fantasy football and tuning in every Sunday is skyrocketing.

Theismann Watch

An angry Steelers team is going to take apart the 2-12 Panthers at Heinz Field. Lucky us, more of Joe Theismann and Matt Millen filibustering through three quarters of garbage time.

Week 16 Clash of the Titans

Giants @ Packers Elimination Bowl? The winner is in the driver's seat for the final NFC wild card berth. The loser is in big trouble.

Jets @ Bears: Neither team is as good as its record, but this should be a fun, hard-hitting game to watch at Soldier Field.

Saints @ Falcons: Saints looking for revenge, but the Falcons will still wrap up the NFC South against Carolina in Week 17.

49ers @ Rams: All four teams in the NFC West lost Sunday to ensure that the division winner will not have a winning record. If the Seahawks lose at Tampa next week, the 5-9 49ers amazingly control their own destiny.

Chris Wesseling is a senior football editor and Dynasty league analyst for Rotoworld.com. The 2011 NFL season marks his fifth year with Rotoworld and his third year contributing to NBCSports.com. He can be found on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.Email :Chris Wesseling